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MSCS takeover to remain paused at least 2 more weeks, judge says

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 20:27:49 -0500

“They can meet. They can talk. They cannot act,” Shelby County Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins said of the state-appointed oversight board on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

This consulting firm is advising Memphis state takeover leaders. Here's what we know so far.

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 04:00:02 -0500

The consulting group advising Memphis schools’ state takeover board has worked on similar efforts nationwide, including a Colorado takeover that ended in a lawsuit, and has been the subject of federal and state investigations in Florida.

MSCS takeover paused again

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 13:55:30 -0500

Tennessee’s takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools has been paused again.

Opinion: 'Memphis needs more pathways to opportunity. CBU is one of them.'

opinion@dailymemphian.com (Ronald L. Brandon) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 04:00:07 -0500

“CBU has faced real challenges in recent years. We should not minimize them, and we should not allow them to define us. Our responsibility is to make the choices necessary to ensure this university can continue serving students and Memphis for generations to come.”

State takeover of MSCS can proceed, judge rules

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 14:42:31 -0500

U.S. District Court Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr. lifted an earlier block on the State of Tennessee’s takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

U of M has highest rate of students passing bar exam in more than a decade

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:57:37 -0500

The U of M law school posted its highest bar-passage numbers in more than a decade, but school officials are aiming higher.

As teacher turnover climbs in Memphis, lower-performing schools face a deepening staffing crisis

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:44:29 -0500

According to state data, in 2024, nearly 20% of educators resigned from Tennessee’s largest school district compared with around 12% statewide.

After 1 meeting, MSCS takeover board ready to go, chair says

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:28:45 -0500

Takeover board Chair Billy Orgel’s sworn statement is expected to lift a three-month hold on the state’s takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. But its unclear if the board’s new plans will capture all expenses it should review under state law.

New MSCS board leaders say they won’t let the state takeover overshadow student needs

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 04:00:04 -0500

Tamarques Porter and Sable Otey, two MSCS board members recently elected as this year’s chair and vice chair respectively, say they’re confident they can weather the storm.

Donor-funded consultant helped ready Memphis school takeover board during pause

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Fri, 9 Oct 2026 12:05:39 -0500

A consulting firm that worked with Houston’s school system during its takeover has quietly played a key role in readying the state-appointed board to resume control of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

MSCS asks another court to halt takeover in new suit

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 12:22:33 -0500

Attorneys for Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Shelby County government filed a new lawsuit in Shelby County Chancery Court

MSCS takeover board to reconvene Thursday

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 7 Oct 2026 15:36:51 -0500

The meeting comes less than a week after a judge said he “didn’t mean to imply” the oversight board couldn’t do its work with a July 1 order, which MSCS and the state interpreted as a temporary halt.

MSCS takeover could resume when board is ‘ready,’ judge rules

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Mon, 5 Oct 2026 19:02:26 -0500

How the oversight board determines what “ready” means could revive early criticisms from MSCS that the appointees lacked necessary structures to assume power over the school system.

Memphis Grizzlies and FedEx unveil new Dream Court at Northeast Prep Academy

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 09:16:26 -0500

Northeast Prep Academy students celebrated the unveiling of a vibrant new Memphis Grizzlies and FedEx Dream Court featuring a hand-painted mural by local artist Siphne Sylve.

4 things to know as the Memphis-schools state-takeover lawsuit progresses

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 04:00:03 -0500

More than three months after Memphis school leaders sued over Tennessee’s takeover law, the case’s first full hearing is set for Oct. 2 in Nashville.

Memphis schools lost more than 2,000 students this year, early data shows

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:32:53 -0500

MSCS continues to lose students year over year, with over 2,000 fewer enrolled in the district compared to last August.

Will MSCS takeover remain paused? Federal court could soon decide

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:07:55 -0500

Arguments in the case are expected to determine whether the takeover remains paused or whether the new state-appointed board of nine regains control over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Tennessee kids could see major Meta settlement windfall. How will it be spent?

mbrown@chalkbeat.org (Melissa Brown) — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 04:00:09 -0500

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Tennessee Rep. Gary Hicks, who sponsored the legislation to launch the Children’s Digital Protection Fund.

Three being investigated after death of 6-year-old left on daycare bus, lawyer says

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:46:47 -0500

Memphis police have completed their investigation into the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones after she was left on a daycare bus, according to attorneys representing her family.

Last-minute student laptop change leaves Memphis parents, teachers scrambling

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 11:10:06 -0500

MSCS has quietly ended a yearslong policy of giving every student their own personal laptop or tablet.